Tag: JT on Autism

In this open to the media, Jordan Dodds calls out the media for what as seen as the constant portrayal of people with Asperger Syndrome as mentally ill criminals.

To Every News Outlet, Every Columnist, and Media Opinionist.

My name is Jordan Dodds, I am a Freelance Writer and Journalist. I am a 19-year-old young man with Asperger Syndrome, A condition you have all branded as nothing more than a Mentally unstable criminal out to damage the fabric of society.

I am writing to you to address the issue of the stigma that you have promoted for so long against people with autism and Asperger Syndrome, That everyone with Asperger Syndrome and Autism is not a criminal or mentally ill.

I, of course, refer to the case of Ethan Stables, A man who was arrested for planning an attack on an LGBT event in a pub in Cumbria, I am aware of the severity of the crime and fully respect that, but the way he has been portrayed by you in disgusting.

You Constantly reminded us of the Aspergers and tried to underpin his condition to the crime, nevermind the fact he was a white supremacist.

I refer to my second example of Jack Chappel, a man you branded as the “Autistic Hacker”, Throughout his case you consistently used a humiliating nickname and reminded us all that “it was his autism” that made him do it.

When in reality, his condition didn’t make him do it. Jack was being Exploited to do it.

The point I’m making is that autism has nothing to do with the criminal justice system, that when something reaches this sort of level, the need for these details to be propelled onto our reading eyes.

All you do by adding the nature of the condition is continuing to further the stigma plaguing the name of a group of talented individuals who see the world a little different.

Great minds that have to overcome obstacles, People like Robert White, A Comedian with Asperger Syndrome who will be a finalist in Britain’s Got Talent 2018 or Chris Packham, the Wildlife TV presenter who lives with Aspergers and has a successful Television career.

If you showed the people more of the latter, then the stigma will wind down and the barriers for us will go away. Failure to do so and mark my words, ill keep pushing you and pushing until you listen.

In this Series on JT, Jordan Dodds talks candidly about topics from the perspective of an autistic adult, how he sees the world every day and the little or big things that may be barriers or obstacles. In this entry, Jordan Talks candidly about how he has taken pride in having Asperger Syndrome

As of August this year, I have now lived with Asperger syndrome for ten years, Ten years of learning to live with a mind-bending and complex condition. All of the meltdowns, the sleepless nights and the moments of pure zen have been worth it.

Ever since the day of my very first appointment to start diagnoses, I have always been told to love and relish what I have, To never ever see myself as different or as the outcast among the pack, To see myself as a normal person with the occasional support along the way.

That no matter the outcome of the process, I would lead a healthy and productive life just like every single peer in my life.

Having this self-love and being able to sustain it has been challenging, Especially in the hostile environment of a school where creative minds are shackled to the floor in a prison of standardisation and adherence to the mundane.

To be told directly to my face that I’m different to everyone else clashed against the mantra, with one teacher at primary school going to levels unforeseen to make sure my self-love was engineered into self-loath.

No one should ever be treated like that, To have confidence ripped away from you and be degraded to a worthless meek, No matter who you are or what you have, embrace it and relish it with every passing day.

My little quirks such as my passion for repetition, my love affair with order and structure and my Yearning for knowledge can be used for anything possible. If something needs sorting I’m the first person to volunteer, if in a group and research needs doing ill do that and even if someone else needs to get over the town ill plan the itinerary.

To have pride in my Aspergers has been the greatest zen of my life, and when it comes to marching in the Durham Pride 2018 march today, it won’t be just because I am a proud gay man but a proud autistic Man

That was the Autistic Perspective for Jordans Thoughts, Written by Jordan Dodds